Rowlock



y 23, 1929. s. E. LANDBERG 1,7 1

ROWLOCK Filed May 14. 1928 f i /i Inventor By A llomc y Patented July23, 1929.

UNITED STATES SWAN E. LANDIBERG, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

' BOWLOCK.

Application filed Kay 14,

My invention relates to rowlocks and the primary object of the inventionis to provide a rowlock having a pivotal connection between its upper orU-portion and its lower or socket arm portion thereby providingflexibility of movement for the rowlock when rowing in contradistinctionto the stiff and fixed rowlocks of present day use. Further objects areto provide a bracket frame for retaining an oar in place when rowing andadjustable means for the bracket.

\Vith the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction,adaptation, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter describedand claimed. These objects are accomplished by devices illustrated inthe accompanying drawings; wherein Figure 1 is a View in transversevertical section of a fragmentary portion of a rowboat showing myrowlock installed in its socket in the gunwale portion of the boat andshowing a portion of an air positioned'therein for rowing;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the rowlock with its bracket framesecured thereto;

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse vertical section of a portion of therowlock showing its pivotal connection;

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal vertical section of the same; and

Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of the bracket frame.

Referring to the drawings throughout which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts, the numeral 5 indicates the gunwale portion of arow-boat with the socket arm por' tion 6 of my device installed in itssocket in said gunwale and adapted to turn on its axis in the regularmanner. An annular shoulder 7 of said socket arm rests on the top of thegunwale and the upper portion of said arm above said shoulder isenlarged to form a cross-head 8. As shown in Fig. 3 said crosshead isslightly longer than in the opposite direction shown in Fig. 4 whereinit will be noted that its upper surface is rounded, as at 9, while itssides converge, as at 10, to the shoulder 7. A hole 11 is providedthrough said cross-head as clearly shown in the drawings.

The upper portion of the rowlock is provided with the usual horns 12wherein an oar 13 is adapted to rest in the ordinary manner. The base 14of said upper portion is larger 1928. Serial No. 277,438.

side walls 16 diverge slightly to forman angular space with theconvergent sides 10 of said cross-head as shown in Fig. 4. i

The cross-head 8 of the lower or socket arm rowlock portion is insertedin the socket 15 in the base 14 of the upper or U-portion and a bolt 17is passed concentrically through said base and the hole 11 in saidcross-head thus providing a pivotal connection between the upfpen andlower rowlock portions. Again 1e erring to Fig. 4 it will be obviousthat the upper portion of the row lock may be pivotally moved back andforth on said bolt and the walls 16 of the socket will contact with thesides 10 of the cross-head thus restricting the pivotal movement of saidupper rowlock portion as will be readily understood.

A bracket frame designated as a whole by the numeral 18 is secured tothe base 14 of the upper rowlock portion for reasons now set forth. Saidbracket frame may be formed from a single piece of metal and comprisessides 19 and upstanding end shoulders 20. Slots 21 are provided in saidsides through which the bolt 17 passes to' hold said sides securely inthe slot 14 on the base of said upper rowlock portion as shown in Fig.3. In order to adjust the bracket frame the nut on said bolt is loosenedand the bracket is shifted backwards or forwards as desired and the nutis then tightened up. Thus the spaces between the end shoulders 20 andthe base 14 on either side thereof may be altered whenever desired.

Referring to Fig.1 of the drawings, oars are usually provided withleather collars secured thereto such as shown at 22 to protect wearingdown of the wooden oar, and said collars are ordinarily provided with anannular shoulder or boss on their inboard ends, such as shown at 23, tobear against the rowlock and prevent the oar from slipping out of same.Said annular shoulder is therefore adapted to fit down between the endshoulder 20 and the base 14 on either side thereof to hold the oar inplace so that the upper or U- portion of the rowlock will pivotally movewith the oar when same is dipped into the water or raised therefromwhile rowing the boat as will be understood. As hereinbefore stated saidbracket frame may be adj ustably shifted by sliding the slots 21 on thebolt 17 to fit annular collars of different sizes.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a comparatively simple andinexpensive rowlock with its upper portion adapted to pivotally movewith the motion of the oar when rowing in addition to pivotally movingon its vertical axis whereby an easy flexible movement of the oars willresult in adding materially to the facility as well as to the pleasureof rowing a boat.

Having thus, described my invention, it being understood that minorchanges may be resorted to as do not form a departure from its scope andspirit, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is 1. In a rowlock the combination with a socket armhaving a cross head and downwardly converging faces on said head, of aU-portion having a hollow base with upward- 1y converging faces topermit and limit 'a rocking movement on the head, a pivot bolt throughthe base and head, and means carried by the base portion for co-actionwith an oar to prevent longitudinal displacement of the oar.

2. In a rowlock, the combination with a cross head having a-rounded topand clownwardly converging side faces, of a pivoted U-portion having ahollow base, an upper rounded interior face and interior faces divergingtherefrom, and a pivot bolt passed through said head and base.

3. In a rowlock the combination with a socket arm and aU-portion pivotedto rock thereon, of an open frame and means for fastening the frame tosaid U-portion, and shoulders on opposite ends of the frame forco-action with an oar to prevent longitudinal displacement of the oar.

4. In a rowlock, the combination with a socket arm, a Uportion having abase pivoted on the arm and a pivot bolt, of a rectangular open framehaving slotted side walls through which the bolt passes, and endshoulders on said frame for co-action with an oar to preventlongitudinal displacement of the oar.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SWAN E. LANDBERG.

